After a quiet post World Cup period, the upcoming season will be a test of Russell Domingo’s progress with the South Africa squad over the past two years

Firdose Moonda26-Sep-2015A maiden voyage is made up of equal measure of expectation and excitement, even if you are not the captain or any of the crew but just the coach. South Africa’s coach Russell Domingo has been involved in cricket for more than two decades but this will be his first visit to cricket’s nerve centre.”I have never been to India and I can’t wait. I am really looking forward to it, it’s a new adventure for me. Talking about team building, I might lead an expedition up the Himalayas after the first T20,” Domingo said at the team’s departure.Domingo has the right idea with South Africa’s first T20 being in Dharamsala, but he may not have enough time to take a hike. Two days later, South Africa play a second match in Cuttack and a third in Kolkata soon after. In total, they will visit 12 cities in 72 days – their longest-ever trip to India – and the focus is on making themselves part of the furniture.”It’s going to be different. It’s an extra month from what we are used to in terms of a tour, normal tours last 42 or 43 days. This one is 72 days,” Domingo said. ” The other side to that is to play some good cricket. We haven’t played a sustained period of cricket for a long period of time now.”Since the end of the World Cup, South Africa have had the least cricket compared to any team, with just two short series. Their trip to Bangladesh went wrong when they lost their first ODI series against Bangladesh, which was then followed by two washed-out Tests. The brief dalliance with New Zealand in limited-overs matches, which came after a month off, lacked competitiveness and context but now the real battle starts.This series is the first of two iconic contests that will make up an eight-Test 2015-16 summer, the second being hosting England after returning from India. For Domingo, it will be a chance to underline his status as a coach, something he has not really had the chance to do since taking over.When Domingo succeeded Gary Kirsten in June 2013, he took over a team on top. The senior men were still involved and the change in coach was relatively seamless. After a few months, that was no longer the case. The retirements of Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith left Domingo in charge of a team in transition and it was difficult to judge his impact in those circumstances. Now, Domingo’s days have reached a point where the side has stabilised enough to assess him, and that is what this summer will shine a spotlight on. It will look beyond Domingo’s statistical sensibilities – a well-known strength of his – and search for his skills in man-management, regarded as the secret to any good coach’s success.Over the past few weeks, Domingo’s style has been to stay away from his players and give them the space to enjoy their time off before getting stuck in. “When guys are away from the game, I try not to talk too much to players because they are going to be tired of talking to me over the next couple of weeks,” he said. “I’d hate to be talking spin to them three weeks before we get there, and we get there and guys are already mentally blown before we’ve seen a ball being bowled.”But now that they are officially on the tour, Domingo will deal intricately with the main challenge which he expects to be India’s spin threat, which he thinks South Africa can overcome. “We anticipate a lot of spin over the next couple of weeks,” he said. “Their spinners are only going to be effective, I suppose, if the seamers make some early inroads. If we can nullify their seam attack, it puts our batting in a much better position to deal with their spinners. If we expose our middle order to the spinners early, we will be be under pressure.”That may hold true in the Tests which come at the end of the tour, but at the beginning, Domingo expects pressure to come from India’s pace pack. “India, at the moment, have got a few good fast bowlers like Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma. In the World Cup fifty-over game, they bowled a lot more short balls than we would bowl and their seamers outbowled us.They were very aggressive in their lengths and their body language,” he said.But Domingo expects South Africa to respond strongly, especially because the limited-overs clashes come when it is most important for them to make a statement. “The start of the tour is very important because if we don’t start the tour well, it can become a long tour,” Domingo said. “South Africa’s strength has always been that our group of players get on really well, they are enjoying the challenges in different countries. We’ve got a proud record playing in different countries. We’ve got a bunch of guys who enjoy going out, seeing different things, experiencing different things.”And they have a coach who will be doing all those things for the first time in India and will be hoping it’s everything it’s hyped up to be.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including an up-turn by Pulisic and some scintillating goals

It's just been a weird season for U.S. internationals playing in Europe. There hasn't really been anything resembling consistency. Zoom out, and even with some impressive individual campaigns, team-wide success has been hard to come by. The Juventus duo of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah sit in fourth place in Serie A, perhaps the closest that any American at the highest level will end up.

But national teams don't work like that. It is possible to be a good player on a struggling team. Christian Pulsiic, once again, epitomized that. The American grabbed an assist again for Milan on Saturday, continuing what is, statistically, at least, his best season yet.

There was other good news to be found as Malik Tillman has recovered wonderfully from an ankle injury with a big comeback for PSV. Meanwhile, a duo of American center-backs neglected duties at one end, but sort of made up for it at the other by finding the net – including a stunner from the LEGO-obsessed Cameron Carter-Vickers.

It was quiet elsewhere, with Josh Sargent benched, only coming on late for Norwich. Folarin Balogun is still being worked back into the fray at Monaco. Gio Reyna proved once again why he should really leave Dortmund this summer, watching from the sidelines. And Sergino Dest was given a night off as he continued his build back from an ACL tear.

GOAL looks at the major takeaways from this weekend's Americans Abroad.

Getty Images SportChristian Pulisic's confusing campaign continues

Christian Pulisic is just puzzling at this point. Let's be honest: It's been a fantastic season for the American – at times. He has reached double-digit assists, leads Milan in scoring, and is a far more confident player than he was just 18 months ago.

But somehow, this still feels a bit underwhelming, like potential untapped. Part of it is certainly inconsistency. Pulisic picked up a knock in the winter, and endured a rough spot after the ill-advised signing of Joao Felix. But now Sergio Conceicao's affair with Felix is over, it's Pulisic's time again.

At least, it looked like it this week. The American provided his 10th assist of the season – from a corner – to double Milan's lead over Udinese. They would go on to win 4-0. Pulisic's numbers were otherwise mixed: four chances created, zero completed dribbles. He also lost the most duels of any player in the match.

Still, decisive moments are the ones that live in the memory, and he notched another one. If only Milan weren't ninth.

AdvertisementGettyMalik Tillman and the art of the timely return

Malik Tillman, done for the season. At least those were the whispers in the Dutch media after the U.S. international needed ankle surgery in January. It was all a bit doom and gloom around an attacking midfielder who had really found his mojo for PSV (arguably as much as fellow American Ricardo Pepi.)

And while Pepi is still recovering from a knee injury, Tillman is busy making his case for USMNT anager Mauricio Pochettino. The PSV man scored in his side's 5-0 demolition of Almere City Saturday afternoon. It wasn't a pretty one: a simple tap in off a parried shot. But there is something to be said for being in the right spot to react to these things.

What it means for PSV is tough to say. They are nine points off Ajax atop the table with five games to go. It would take an immense collapse for them to repeat as champions. For Tillman, then, it's a period to work his way back to full fitness and impress the USMNT manager.

The Gold Cup looks rather important. The U.S. could really do with winning this thing, which would suggest Tillman will be in the fray. A good end to the campaign, and he will be among that squad – presumably positioning himself for a run in the side long-term.

Getty Images SportCameron Carter-Vickers strikes, Chris Richards can score

OK then. Center-back goals feel a bit naughty sometimes. Really, this guy? The 6-3 lumbering bloke? He's allowed to score? They tend to be tap ins or headers, set pieces or not much beyond that.

No one seemed to tell Carter-Vickers about that vague platitude. Instead, the Celtic man carried the ball 15 yards, looked up, shrugged, and whipped the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. Totally normal behavior. Nothing to see here.

It was, of course, one of the best goals of the season, not only for the quality of the strike but also for the sheer absurdity of it all. Even Malcolm Johnston – Celtic's right-back and a CONCACAF rival – had his hands on his head in disbelief after the strike from Carter-Vickers.

That was just the 11th goal in club soccer for Carter-Vickers. Ever. Not a bad one whatsoever. Celtic won 5-1, but a late Rangers goal in another fixture denied them of the title. It's a matter of time, but this was fine entertainment while they chug along.

Crystal Palace's Chris Richards' goal was far more conventional. He ghosted into the box from a corner and nodded home from close range. It put Palace 2-0 up against Manchester City.

What happened at the other end was less flattering for the American, though, City coming from behind with a five-goal retort to batter Oliver Glasner's side, 5-2.

Getty Images SportWhat you might have missed

+ Folarin Balogun's return isn't exactly going to plan. The striker has struggled since making a comeback from shoulder surgery, and settled for minutes off the bench again this weekend. However, Monaco's 3-0 win bolster's his chance of playing Champions League football next year.

+ McKennie started in Juventus' 2-1 win over Lecce on Saturday. Igor Tudor has had a fine impact so far, and McKennie and Co. are well-positioned to make the Champions League next year.

+ Josh Sargent left his shooting boots at home in Norwich's 2-1 loss to Burnley. The American failed to make an impact off the bench.

+ Gianluca Busio's Venezia beat 20th-placed Monza, 1-0, and are (somehow) in with a shout of avoiding relegation – with 17th-placed Lecce just two points away with six games remaining.

+ Reyna watched from the bench as Dortmund managed a 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Bayern Munich.

Mitchell Marsh and Matt Renshaw are the two players to miss out from the Ashes group

ESPNcricinfo staff28-May-2023Josh Hazlewood remains in contention to play the World Test Championship final against India after being included in Australia’s 15-man squad.Australia have pushed Mitchell Marsh and Matt Renshaw into their reserves from the 17 players that have been selected for the Ashes.Hazlewood returned early from the IPL with some side soreness but scans revealed no damage and he has since returned to bowling. However, speaking last week coach Andrew McDonald said everything would need to go perfectly for him to make the WTC final.He is one of four specialist quicks in the squad alongside captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Michael Neser and Sean Abbott will train with the team in the lead-up, with Neser a strong contender to replace Hazlewood in the main squad if required. Any changes from now on will require approval of the ICC’s technical committee.Josh Inglis, who is yet to play a Test, has found a place in the squad, as has Todd Murphy, who made his Test debut in India earlier this year.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

As for India, there were no late changes apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal, as reported earlier in the day, replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad in the list of stand-by players.Both the uncapped Ishan Kishan and Jaydev Unadkat, who had injured his left shoulder during the IPL and was ruled out of the tournament, figure in the squad of 15. Kishan, who came in after the injury to KL Rahul during the IPL, is likely to be back-up for KS Bharat, India’s first-choice Test wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence.Related

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Also a part of the India squad is Shardul Thakur, who had missed three games in the IPL because of a niggle, and was not fit to bowl in a few games.India’s reserves are Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav and Jaiswal.The match will be played at The Oval from June 7 to 11, with June 12 pencilled in as the reserve day. The winners will earn US$ 1.6 million, while the runners-up will earn $800,000.Australia squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Steven Smith (vice-capt), Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk).

Celtic have their eyes on two new forward players this month, but a new report suggests it is a Poland international currently starring in the MLS that the Hoops may move to sign.

Celtic transfer news

The Bhoys have just over two weeks remaining to complete any transfer business they wish to do ahead of the second half of the season. Despite sitting pretty at the top of the Scottish Premiership and a victory away from the knockout phase of the Champions League, Brendan Rodgers will still want his side to improve.

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However, before they get a new player to the club, Celtic may have to deal with an exit, as Hull City and Queens Park Rangers have made Greg Taylor a transfer target. The left-back is out of contract in the summer, and while Celtic continue to negotiate over a new deal, an exit could materialise this month. Taylor has a positive relationship with Rodgers, which means he would be happy to stay at the club, but a move away has yet to be ruled out.

The Hoops face another potential exit, as young striker Daniel Cummings is wanted by West Ham United and Brighton, but Celtic are pushing for Cummings to stay and sign a new contract. The 18-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the campaign and, given he has scored 24 goals in 24 games in the club’s B team, that will be a bitter blow to Celtic.

Celtic may move for £8.5m MLS star this month

The future of Kyogo Furuhashi has been thrown into doubt in recent weeks, and the Hoops may already have a replacement in mind, as according to Corriere dello Sport relayed by Sport Witness, Celtic may look to sign Mateusz Bogusz this month instead of long-term forward target Gustav Isaksen.

The report states that the Scottish champions remain interested in Lazio’s Isaksen, but that is a deal that looks unlikely, as he is set to stay at Lazio until the end of the season, and Celtic are yet to bid for the player because of their interest in Bogusz.

Bogusz, who currently plays for MLS side LAFC, is of interest to Celtic and has been since the summer, when they were in talks over a deal to sign the forward. The 23-year-old netted 20 goals and recorded 11 assists in the MLS last season, and that form would make him an exciting addition for the Hoops.

Apps

90

Goals

24

Assists

19

Bogusz’s form in front of goal has seen the player go from a transfer value of 2 million euros to 10 million euros (£8.5m) in the last 12 months alone. The Poland international’s ability to play anywhere across the frontline and as a ‘number ten’ means Rodgers has options for where he could play the player, but his arrival would provide serious competition for the likes of Kyogo and Adam Idah.

West Bromwich Albion have now opened talks with a 4-3-3 style manager to take The Hawthorns vacancy, according to Fabrizio Romano.

West Brom eyeing new signings without a manager

The Baggies are still searching for their long-term successor to Carlos Corberan, who departed the club late last year for Valencia. Interim boss Chris Brunt has overseen four Championship games since Corberan left for a return to Spain, winning one, losing one and drawing two of his four fixtures in charge.

Brunt was quizzed on potentially landing the job on a full-time basis but said: “I don’t know, I think I’m relatively inexperienced for anything like that. I’ll do my best as I always did as a player for this football club until, hopefully, the right person is appointed and I’m sure that the football club will do that.”

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However, despite having no manager in the Midlands, West Brom are still working behind the scenes when it comes to the January transfer window, looking to bolster their squad or the remainder of the campaign.

Middlesbrough’s Isaiah Jones appears to be on the radar and reports have suggested that West Brom have had a £5m bid accepted for the winger alongside Luton Town. Meanwhile, an enquiry has also been made for Liverpool attacker Lewis Koumas, who is currently on loan at Stoke City.

The manager search is still ongoing for West Brom and by the looks of things, talks are underway for one target who recently lost his job in England.

West Brom in talks with Rene Hake

According to transfer expert Romano, West Brom have opened talks with Rene Hake after he left his role as Manchester United assistant manager under Erik ten Hag.

Hake has experience of being a manager and plays a defensive 4-3-3 system, as per Transfermarkt. The 53-year-old, prior to his time in Manchester, was the boss of Dutch sides Go Ahead Eagles, FC Utrecht, SC Cambuur and FC Twente.

He recently spoke out about his time at Old Trafford under Ten Hag, saying: “I don’t hold any grudges whatsoever. I had great interactions with the players, the staff, and everyone involved. I personally made it a point to say farewell to all, to ensure a positive ending.

“I wasn’t there long enough to really judge the direction of the club (but) what I sensed was a deep yearning to be a force again. To get back the winning culture from the Ferguson era, combined with the culture of Ineos, the new co-owner of United, who is successful in other sports.”

A move for his first senior managerial position in England could be one to watch, but by the looks of things, the Baggies have two more candidates alongside Hake, as per Romano.

Valuable five-for comes before Keaton Jennings, Luke Wells and Josh Bohannon fill their boots

Paul Edwards21-Apr-2023

James Anderson is congratulated by Saqib Mahmood•Getty Images

You cannot tell quite how pancake-flat a pitch is until you have seen both sides try to fill their boots on it. The truth of this apophthegm was made very plain during the final two sessions of this day’s cricket when Lancashire’s batters, having seen Somerset compile a respectable 441 in 122.4 overs, produced every article of footwear they could find and try to cram them with runs.The advance guard of this brutal assault was led by Luke Wells, whose 109-ball 82 was merely the latest example of this batting all-rounder’s renaissance at Emirates Old Trafford. But the onslaught was continued in the evening session by Keaton Jennings, who reached his first century of the season off 158 balls, having sprinted to his second fifty runs off 53.Close of play came early when Richard Illingworth and Russell Warren stopped the fight with ten overs still to be bowled. At that point Jennings and Josh Bohannon had added 148 runs in 22.5 overs of the evening session and the opener seemed well placed to follow his 318 against Somerset last July with another colossal score on Saturday.For once, these statistics and these alarming prospects matter. If Jennings and his colleagues continue to score at this rate, they will have a considerable lead by say, teatime on Saturday and might then be able to loose James Anderson on Somerset’s still rather frail top-order. And on today’s evidence, any comments about the bowler-unfriendly nature of this Taunton wicket should make a special exemption for a bowler of Anderson’s quality. As to Lancashire’s final total, well to borrow the helpful prediction of the association football pundit, it could be anything.But there was a purpose to this savagery and this curiously modern cricket beyond that of building a first-innings lead and possibly embarrassing Somerset on the final day. Five batting points will only be awarded this season if sides score 450 runs inside their 110 overs and teams will receive only five points for the draw, rather than the generous eight they were awarded last year. So given that most games played on wickets like this one at Taunton will be drawn, it becomes even more vital for batters to make the most of them.Wells was the first Lancashire batsman to fulfil this injunction on Friday and the chief sufferer was Jack Leach, for whom this was a bloody afternoon. Having quietly played out a maiden, the opener reverse swept the first three balls of Leach’s second over for two fours and a six. That was dismissive enough but when England’s premier spinner tightened his line he was merely driven straight and high and often. Nor did Wells’ dismissal end the torture; two of Bohannon’s first three scoring shots were sixes off Leach, whose figures at the day’s end were 17-1-103-0. One can only wish him a peaceful night’s rest.Then again, if the weather forecast had been accurate, we all might have enjoyed a little more repose today. But the rain that had been promised for two o’clock did not arrive until after the close and that gave Lancashire an opportunity they have seized with almost frightening relish. Nevertheless, the prospect of rain closing in from the east and the fact that first-class cricket was taking place nowhere else in the land at eleven o’clock made one determined to appreciate every good thing at Taunton this morning. We were presented with a varied box of delights, too, ranging from the expected discipline of Anderson, who completed a five-wicket return for the 54th time in his career to the unexpected mayhem of a 48-run partnership for the last wicket between the two Jacks, Brooks and Leach.Indeed, the second day began much as the first had, with Anderson taking two wickets inside the opening 45 minutes of play. Having played one of the most important innings of his young life, James Rew drove rather loosely but only edged a catch to George Bell, and Lewis Gregory was leg before for six when he missed a very straight ball. Meanwhile, the Quantocks faded into the mist and predictions about the afternoon became increasingly dire.We ignored them. Kasey Aldridge edged Anderson to Wells at first slip, thus giving the bowler his five-fer and Tom Abell, having beaten his previous career-best by one run, shaped to push George Balderson for a single but instead fell lbw for 151.Peter Siddle whacked two fours and a six but then became Saqib Mahmood’s first wicket in four-day cricket for three days short of an injury-wrecked year. The Australian’s innings, though, was merely the prelude to six overs of anarchy as Leach and Brooks’ bats described increasingly exotic arcs and the ball regularly disappeared to or over the boundary rope. The fun ended when Brooks hoicked Tom Bailey to long leg where Tom Hartley took a fine diving catch. Leach went off to tiffin, where he might have lamented the lot of the class batsman who runs out of partners. Unbeaten 40s do that to a chap. He little knew what was in store for him.The wind acquired an extra edge after lunch and the County Ground followed suit. The Thatchers Terrace, so often thronged with cider and opinions, resembled the . The ice-cream man, who on Thursday had been doling out scoops like an IPL addict, fell asleep in his van. The cricket slumbered, too, for half an hour or so but pardonably as Lancashire’s openers went about their business a trifle cautiously against Brooks and Gregory.Then Wells stroked Gregory through the covers on the back foot and the loud encouragements of the home fielders pierced the cool air. Four overs later, though, the same batter lifted Gregory into the Somerset Stand and Lancashire’s reply was infused with fresh purpose. Within a few overs Wells was running amok and Abell’s bowlers were powerless to prevent him.

da cassino： Manchester United’s attack has been satisfactory at best during the opening months of 2024/25, struggling to provide the goods in the final third – leading to their lowly Premier League standing.

da leao： Marcus Rashford is somehow the Red Devils’ top scorer in the league alongside Bruno Fernandes, despite not featuring since the first week of December in the defeat against Nottingham Forest.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are the two other senior strikers currently at Ruben Amorim’s disposal but have only managed to score a combined five goals between them in the league to date.

As a result, their tally of 23 goals scored is the fifth-lowest in the division, showcasing how desperately they need to bolster the frontline throughout this month.

Randal Kolo Muani has been widely named as one of the targets on United’s shortlist, but given his lack of goals, which has only seen him net twice this season – they desperately need to look at alternative targets instead.

The hierarchy could subsequently move for one player who’s appeared back on their radar over recent days.

Man Utd target deal to land PL star

According to GIVEMESPORT, United are one of a number of top-flight sides currently monitoring the progress of Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha ahead of a possible move.

The 25-year-old has already registered ten goals in 19 matches despite the lack of form from the West Midlands outfit – easily being the most impressive player at Molineux in recent months.

However, Arsenal and Spurs are just two other sides keeping up with the Brazilian in 2024/25, also pondering a potential move for his signature.

The report also states that should a deal not be completed this window, the forward will be available for just £45m in the summer if Vitor Pereira’s side suffer relegation to the Championship.

Despite the links to Cunha, rumours continue to persist over a move for another attacker plying his trade in England’s top flight, with both undoubtedly improving the options at Amorim’s disposal.

Why Cunha would be better than Mbeumo for Man United

Kolo Muani has been on the club’s shortlist in recent months, but given a temporary move looks the most likely for the Frenchman – the United hierarchy should look for a permanent solution to the goalscoring issue this month.

As a result, Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo has been another name touted over a move to Old Trafford – unsurprisingly, given his recent form for the Bees during 2024/25.

The Cameroonian has scored 13 times in 20 Premier League matches, with his goalscoring form certainly providing Amorim with the added ammunition he so desperately needs.

However, given the 3-4-2-1 system and Mbeumo’s usual role of a right-sided winger not being included in such a formation, it may see the former Troyes star be wasted at Old Trafford.

When comparing the Brentford ace to Cunha, the Brazilian has dominated the Bees man in various areas throughout the ongoing season, highlighting what a superb addition he would be for the Red Devils.

How Cunha compares to Mbeumo in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Cunha

Mbeumo

Games played

19

20

Goals & assists

14

16

Progressive carries

3.9

3.2

Progressive passes

4.1

4

Shots-on-target

1.2

0.8

Pass accuracy

72%

70%

Take-ons completed

2.3

1.3

Aerials won

33%

29%

Stats via FBref

Cunha, who’s previously been dubbed a “monster” by current teammate Joao Gomes, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has produced more progressive carries and passes per 90 – showcasing his creative ability, aiding his potential new teammates at Old Trafford.

He’s also achieved more shots on target per 90 along with more dribbles completed, making him the perfect player to feature in behind the striker or at the top end of the pitch under Amorim.

Regardless of whether it be this month or in the summer, £45m for a player of Cunha’s quality would be an absolute bargain – one that would certainly improve the attacking output of the side.

The likes of Kolo Muani and Mbeumo are names that the club should stay away from, with the Wolves ace having the skill set and the technical ability to be the perfect fit for United in the years ahead.

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Captain refuses to write his team off as they continue to fall on the wrong side of results with one win since the start of last season

Umar Farooq19-Feb-2023Karachi Kings have won only three out of their last 19 PSL matches, they won just one game in 10 last season, and they’ve begun PSL 2023 with three defeats. That’s not a great position to be in while preparing to take on their biggest rival, Lahore Qalandars, but captain Imad Wasim refuses to write his team off yet.”We are presently coming with a losing streak from last season until now, but once we get winning momentum then you become a force,” Imad had said after narrowly failing to chase down 169 against Quetta Gladiators last night. “But it’s not happening right now and it’s our mistake. We will sit and talk about it. Someone needs to play that finishing role and be that one person so that we can have our belief back. Faith is very important in any sport and any career and I still have faith in Karachi.”They will not have too much time to do this introspection, with the Qalandars clash lined up later today, but Imad did try to make sense of the rut. “I won’t say we are playing very bad cricket overall but we are only playing good cricket in phases. Sometimes it happens in a team when you aren’t able to click all together – once we do, we will start winning.”We made a lot of mistakes but they are done. No team goes out and tries to lose, it’s just a lean patch that hasn’t come to an end since last season and we are trying to get out of it. As a professional, when you see the chips are down, everything is against you, that is when you turn up to win your team a game.”Imad is one of the most experienced PSL captains, second only to Sarfaraz Ahmed, but his record is patchy: 44 captained, 20 won, 20 lost (Super Overs aside). This season, all three losses have come at home, even as they’ve fiddled with their combination and strategy. Among the changes dished out was Matthew Wade, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter, who played as opener in the first game scoring 23 off 15, but was pushed down to the middle order for the next two games and has scored 18 off 18 and 15 off 19 from there. Imad did say finding the right person to finish innings was on his mind.”We aren’t able to finish well, it is one of the factors [in our slump]. Secondly, our death overs are a factor…”Then there is the matter of making it count once in, and Imad said that too had been discussed with the team. “Sometimes if you don’t show enough intent, you give away your wickets very easily in such conditions. It was talked about, not letting it go so easily because with one set batsman in, anything is possible, especially on Karachi pitches. But it’s not happening, everyone who is getting set is getting out other than Shoaib Malik.”Imad had advocated an aggressive brand of cricket coming into this tournament, and he said the rocky start has not changed his mind. “It’s a way of playing cricket, you play shots and express yourself. Unfortunately, we’ve lost wickets in the powerplay and so have not been able to express ourselves, but once we settle in everything will click. We are still going to play the same brand of aggressive cricket with the ball and bat.”

West Bromwich Albion have now made an enquiry over an “absolutely clinical” striker who is the son of a Baggies legend, according to a report.

Baggies still pushing for promotion

Losing Carlos Corberan to Valencia mid-season undoubtedly put a dent in West Brom’s chances of gaining promotion from the Championship, but they still remain in a strong position to return to the Premier League.

Albion are still in the play-offs under the helm of a caretaker trio of Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill, but they will be hoping to hire a new permanent manager as soon as possible to aid their chances of finishing inside the top six.

The likes of Swansea City’s Luke Williams and former Union Berlin boss Urs Fischer are in the running to take over at The Hawthorns, but there is unlikely to be an appointment prior to this weekend’s trip to AFC Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

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Although the Baggies are still without a permanent manager, they are still looking at how they can strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, with a bid accpeted for Isaiah Jones, and The Daily Mail report they have now made contact over a potential deal for a striker.

West Brom have now made an enquiry about the availability of Liverpool striker Lewis Koumas, who is currently on loan at fellow Championship side Stoke City. Koumas will be a familiar name to the Albion faithful, with enigmatic midfielder Jason Koumas, Lewis’ father, spending an impressive five years at The Hawthorns from 2002 to 2007.

A number of Championship clubs are interested in signing the forward, who they feel could give them the edge in the battle for promotion in the second half of the campaign, with Sheffield United and Watford also keen.

West Brom’s upcoming Championship fixtures

Date

Stoke City (h)

January 18th

Middlesbrough (a)

January 21st

Portsmouth (h)

January 25th

Plymouth Argyle (a)

February 1st

Sheffield Wednesday (h)

February 8th

Koumas could follow in his father's footsteps

Jason Koumas was a fantastic servant to the Baggies, and his 19-year-old son is also showing signs he could go on to be a top player, having been lauded as an “absolutely clinical” striker by Wales U21 manager Matty Jones.

The Wales international has predominantly featured on the wing for Stoke this season, displaying his versatility, and he has emerged as a key player, bagging three goals in 25 Championship appearances.

Koumas’ move to Stoke is likely to have been a good learning curve for the youngster, and he could now be ready to take the next step by moving to a team in the upper echelons of the Championship table.

Rangers supporters everywhere are still ruing Sunday’s League Cup Final defeat, with Glasgow’s giants playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Hampden, with second-half equalisers from Mohamed Diomande and then Danilo forcing extra time and ultimately penalties for the Ibrox side.

In the shootout, someone has to miss and, unfortunately for those bedecked in red, white and blue, housed in the west end of the National Stadium, that man was Rıdvan Yılmaz, his tame effort easily kept out by Kasper Schmeichel, as Celtic once again hoisted aloft the trophy.

However, Philippe Clement’s team will soon be back in action, welcoming Dundee to Ibrox on Saturday, with a chance to exact revenge on their fiercest rivals right around the corner, given that the next Premiership Glasgow derby in Govan is coming up as soon as 2 January.

Speaking of January, the start of a new year also signals the opening of the transfer window, so could one of the most expensive players in the current Rangers squad be on the move next month?

Rangers forward could leave the club

As reported by Rob Laurens for French outlet Le Républicain Sportif, Saint-Étienne are considering a move for Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers in January.

Les Verts, ten-times French champions, are one of France’s biggest clubs but, following promotion via the play-offs, are currently embroiled in a relegation battle, sat third bottom of Ligue 1, having lost six of their last eight, including three on the spin, hence why les Stéphanois are seeking attacking reinforcements.

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In terms of Dessers, his career has already taken him to various Belgian and Dutch clubs, as well as one season in Italy, arriving in Glasgow to much excitement for a not insubstantial £4.5m fee in July 2023.

Then manager Michael Beale stated at the time that “Cyriel pushed extremely hard to make this transfer a reality”, but his time with the Light Blues since has been, at best, mixed.

Why Rangers should cash in on Cyriel Dessers

On paper, Dessers has scored 34 goals in 80 appearances for the Gers, which is not too bad at all.

He’s bagged 12 goals this season, on target at Celtic Park last May as well as in European fixtures against Servette, Real Betis, Dynamo Kyiv and, most recently, Olympiacos.

However, the Nigerian has also garnered a reputation for squandering big chances.

He’s taken 144 shots to score 27 times in the Premiership and UEFA competitions while, also according to FBref.com, his xG figure across five Europa League fixtures this season is four, with this yielding just a solitary goal so far.

Following the draw in Piraeus in early November, in which he did equalise, Dessers joked that if he scored every single chance that came his way he “probably would not be at Rangers”, but could that become reality as soon as January?

In recent weeks, Clement has made the bold call to drop Dessers, leaving him on the bench for the last five matches, with Hamza Igamane repaying his manager’s faith by scoring five times in his last six appearances, with the Moroccan very much the man in form.

So, how do Rangers’ attacking options compare to one another?

Given that Igamane, Černý and Bajrami only arrived this summer, and Danilo’s time at the club has been blighted by injury, they’ve all played significantly fewer minutes than Dessers.

Rangers careers of current attackers
Statistics	Dessers	Igamane	Černý	Danilo	Bajrami
Appearances	42	15	24	21	26
Minutes	2,660	614	1,670	975	1,761
Goals	17	6	9	8	3
Goals per 90	0.58	0.88	0.49	0.74	0.15
Assists	5	1	4	4	1
Assists per 90	0.17	0.15	0.22	0.37	0.05
Shots	106	30	67	65	49
Shot on target %	46.2%	50%	34.3%	49.2%	40.8%
Goals – xG	+0.4	+3.1	+1.1	-0.6	-0.2
All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

However, on a per-90 basis, the Nigerian is being outperformed by both of the other two natural centre-forward options, namely Igamane and Danilo, suggesting it may be time to cash in.

During the summer, it was reported by Graeme McGarry for the National that Dessers turned down the chance to join Atlanta United, with the MLS outfit bidding £4.5m for his services, having just sold former-Celtic centre-forward Giorgos Giakoumakis to Cruz Azul for close to double that.

This time, should Saint-Étienne, or anyone else for that matter, put a similar amount of money on the table for Dessers, Rangers should do everything they can to facilitate his exit.

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